Baloch Students Protest Budget Cuts for Balochi Language Schools in Pakistan
Students and members of the Baloch Students Organisation (BSO) have expressed their disappointment with the Pakistani administration for making significant budget cuts to literary organizations in Balochistan that promote the Balochi language and literature.
Press Conference in Quetta
During a press conference at the Quetta Press Club, BSO leaders demanded the revocation of these budget cuts and warned of major protests if their demands are not met. They condemned the local administration for this decision, which was part of the recently presented financial budget for 2024-25.
Impact on Educational Organizations
Several educational organizations in Balochistan, including the Balochistan Academy Kech, the Balochi Academy Quetta, and the Izzat Academy Panjgur, have been severely affected by these budget cuts. BSO’s Secretary General Samad Baloch and Information Secretary Shakoor Baloch emphasized the importance of preserving the Balochi language and culture.
The BSO leaders highlighted that education in one’s mother tongue is crucial for proper learning, citing examples of countries like Japan, Australia, and England, where children are educated in their native languages. They accused the Pakistani administration of trying to suppress Balochi literature and depriving Baloch children of their right to be educated in their mother tongue.
Severe Budget Reductions
The BSO claimed that the local administration has cut the budget for Balochi and Brahvi literature schools by 70 to 90 percent, with some budgets entirely eliminated. For instance, the Balochi Academy’s budget was reduced from 50 million rupees to 10 million, and the Balochistan Academy in Turbat saw its budget cut by over 90 percent. Other organizations, such as Balochi Labzani Diwan, Raskoh Adbi Diwan, Bravhi Adbi Society, and Mehr Dar, have also faced significant budget cuts or complete removal.
The BSO leaders clarified that they have no issue with other literary organizations and their budgetary allocations but view the cuts to Balochi language schools as linguistic partiality. They condemned the local government, calling it a ‘puppet’ of Pakistan, and claimed that such actions demonstrate the province’s colonial status.
